The Environmental Journal of Southern Appalachia
Monday, 22 September 2025 08:53

Updated: Smokies searchers find body of missing Nashville man

Written by Hellbender Press

Screen Shot 2025 09 22 at 9.29.20 AM

Search centered on Big Creek area near TN/NC line

HARTFORD — Park rangers and others searching for a 21-year-old man found his body in the Big Creek area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ryan Lakes was last seen Sept. 18 in Nashville. His vehicle was found in the park on Sept. 20.

In an update on the search Monday afternoon, the park service released the following statement:

"Ryan Lakes was found deceased at approximately 2:45 p.m. on Sept. 21 in the Big Creek area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

“Lakes, age 21, was last seen Thursday, Sept. 18 in Nashville, TN and his vehicle was found in the Big Creek area of the park on Sept. 20. Park rangers and local agencies completed an initial search on Sept. 20 and continued search efforts on Sept. 21.“ 

The NPS thanked organizations that assisted with the search:  
  • Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.
  • Cocke County Sheriff's Office.
  • Haywood County Sheriffs Office.
  • U.S. Forest Service.  
  • Rhea County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit.  
  • Bradley County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit.  
  • BUSAR Search and Rescue. 

(The park service requested privacy on behalf of the family. In some instances, searches in the Smokies are concluded when searchers find the remains of people who likely committed suicide; others are concluded after searchers find the bodies of people who perished from exposure or succumbed to injury.)

The original story continues below:

Park officials described Lakes as a white male with brown hair and hazel eyes. He is 5 feet 5 inches tall and 130 pounds. He was last seen wearing dark  gym shorts, a dark color T-shirt, brown tennis shoes and carrying a black backpack.

Several organizations are assisting the National Park Service with the search. 

Anyone who saw Lakes or has any information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the NPS:

  • CALL the NPS Tip Line 888-653-0009

  • ONLINE go.nps.gov/SubmitATip

  • EMAIL This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  • EMERGENCY dial 9-1-1

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